Clock Tower of Arta, Ottoman clock tower at Arta Castle, Greece.
The Clock Tower of Arta is a 21-meter structure located at the southwestern corner of Arta Castle, displaying clear Ottoman architectural features. It incorporates a bell system and is topped with crenellations that reflect its role as part of the castle's fortifications.
The tower was built around 1700 and originally served as a timekeeping structure operating on a Muslim system to announce prayer times. Its construction occurred during a period when Arta was under Ottoman control.
The tower blends Ottoman and Greek architectural traditions, a fusion that shaped Arta's identity over centuries. Visitors can still observe this mix in the decorative elements and overall design of the structure.
The interior is not open to the public, but you can view the exterior throughout the year whenever you visit the castle area. The tower sits at the entrance, making it easy to see on your way around the site.
Ottoman traveler Evliya Çelebi recorded that the bell's sound could be heard an hour's distance away, a remarkable technical feat for its era. Such detailed accounts reveal how well-known this tower was throughout the region during the 1600s.
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